Rex Ryan often presented a united front among himself, Jets owner Woody Johnson and former general manager Mike Tannenbaum, terming their personnel transactions during the past four years "Jet decisions."

But there is one very important signing that reportedly wasn't agreed upon by all parties involved. Former Jets GM candidate Ted Sundquist said, contrary to popular belief, that Johnson made it clear he wasn't behind the March trade for Tim Tebow.

Sundquist interviewed for Tannenbaum's old job, which went to former Seahawks executive John Idzik. Sundquist told ESPNNewYork.com that Johnson said the decision to trade for Tebow was "forced" on him and team president Neil Glat. But Johnson, according to Sundquist, eventually "jumped on board" with the decision.

The perception has been that the Jets' trade for Tebow was fueled by an overzealous owner determined to grab headlines. But a league source with knowledge of the inner workings of the organization said it was a unanimous decision among Ryan, Tannenbaum and recently fired offensive coordinator Tony Sparano.

Ryan, who will not be made available to the media until Thursday's news conference for Idzik, said in August, "Any decision we make, we will always be lined up," though he was not referring to Tebow specifically. "In theory, does Mike have final say of the roster? Yes. But we are always lined up."

The Tebow trade, however, turned out to be a major dud.

Ryan had said Tebow could get as many as 15 to 20 snaps a game as their Wildcat guy, but he finished the season with only six completions for 39 yards and 32 carries for 102 yards. The Jets are expected to release or trade Tebow this offseason.

"They realized it was divisive and hard on the locker room,'' Sundquist told ESPNNewYork.com. "And they wanted an exit strategy."